(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5723663&forum_id=2Elisa#48921657)

https://www.eurasiantimes.com/cracks-in-j-20s-stealth-with-no-buyers-exposure

J-20: Major Questions & Challenges

A lot that comes out of China on its weapons platforms is propaganda and information warfare to intimidate adversaries. The US military often uses this exaggerated information to seek greater funding from Congress.

China has indeed long depicted the J-20 as a competitor to America’s fifth-generation jets, the F-22 and F-35. The ground reality is that China rushed the platform to build numbers because of security challenges, while many systems are still under development.

Many have raised doubts about stealth because of the aircraft’s sharp contours and large-sized canard surfaces, which would compromise stealth. J-20 is a much larger aircraft, which adds to the radar signature and complicates stealth.

Stealth aircraft are also costly and maintenance-intensive. Even the West struggles with this aspect. In any case, the West accuses China of stealing American 5th-generation aircraft design data through cyber theft.

There have been serious developmental issues with WS-15. In 2015, one W-15 engine exploded, putting the quality control of its single-crystal turbine blades in question. The W-15’s single-crystal turbine blades have not been able to handle the high temperatures and maneuverability of the J-20.

There are questions about whether aircraft engines produce enough thrust for super-cruise. Chinese aircraft engines have mostly been reverse-engineered from Russian engines, which are poorly designed to conceal both radar and IR signatures. The WS-15 remains behind schedule, and reliability, longevity, and maintainability will remain an issue.

The performance of the J-20 AESA and electronic warfare suite is also in question. China clearly lags far behind the West in avionics. The J-20’s credentials of being a fifth-generation fighter jet are still open to interpretation.

The number actually built and inducted is also being questioned, and it seems highly exaggerated. Also in question is such a high production rate. PLAAF claims to be inducting one brigade of fighters every six months.

They claim to have built 40 to 50 airframes in 2022 and around 100 in 2023, all without export orders. At this rate, the J-20’s total PLAAF fleet could reach 1,000 airframes by the early 2030s.

While the West feels that the J-20 is basically optimized for anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) engagements, the Chinese continue to describe it as an air-superiority fighter meant to engage other fighters and equate it with the F-35.

Americans believe that they will not “lose sleep about the J-20,” as the United States is already developing sixth-generation fighter technologies.

J-20 External Sales & Combat Exposure

To date, J-20 has had no external sales. Chinese experts claim it does not plan to sell the ‘Mighty Dragons’ just like the F-22.

J-20

File Image: J-20 Fighter Pilot

Even Pakistan, a very close ally, has no interest in the very large J-20 and is more inclined towards the smaller J-31 or Turkish “Kaan” fighter. No other country has shown interest. Everyone is still waiting to see China get over its continuing teething problems. The aircraft is also likely to be very costly.

The aircraft has still to be taken abroad for an airshow. If China was keen to sell the aircraft, it would showcase it. Or perhaps they do not want to expose their weaknesses.

Pilot availability and training have also been an issue. The quality of training has been in question. Their training exposure has also been very low, having not exercised with any foreign air forces. Chinese state-controlled media keeps harping about J-20’s success against F-35 and Rafale in simulated combat exercises.

Despite claiming to have inducted 150 aircraft and planning for 400 by 2027, PLAAF has restricted operations to internal exercises only.

Besides the Chinese state media Global Times touting J-20 participation in many exercises, the aircraft has not even been exposed to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in the “Shaheen” series exercises—not even in the September 2023 10th edition of the Shaheen exercise, which was held at Jiuquan, in China itself.

It shows underconfidence in both performance and maintainability.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5723663&forum_id=2Elisa#48921665)